Observations on Thamnidiaceae (Mucorales). II. Chaetocladium, Cokeromyces, Mycotypha, and Phascolomyces.

Abstract

SUMMARYFour previously established genera of Thamnidiaceae and their recognized species are described and illustrated . Seven species are treated as follows: Chaetocladium -;onesii, C. brefeldii, Cokeromyces recurvatus, Mycotypha africana, M. microspora, M. poitrasii (anew combination based on Cokeromyces poitrasii), and Phascolomyces articuloms.Phascolomyces articuloms, the type species of Phascolomyces, was described in 1959 without the preservation of a nomenclatural type as required by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, and original material is unknown. A neotype specimen is designated ( preserved in RSA) for validation of the genus and species.

Zygomycetes in Human Disease

“…Since C. recurvatus is homothallic (requiring only one mating type for sexual reproduction), zygospores are readily produced within a single isolate. Excellent discussions, photographs, and line diagrams of the growth characteristics of this unusual fungus are presented by Shanor et al (420), Benny and Benjamin (38), McGough et al (289), and Munipalli et al (314). Characteristic features are also demonstrated in Fig.…”

“…It was first cultured from rabbit dung collected in Illinois (420). Benny and Benjamin (38) further isolated this fungus from the dung of lizards, rabbits, and a variety of rodents including pack rats, squirrels, and mice. In nature, this zygomycete grows in great profusion as a felt-like mat on the excreta from these animals (38).…”

“…Benny and Benjamin (38) further isolated this fungus from the dung of lizards, rabbits, and a variety of rodents including pack rats, squirrels, and mice. In nature, this zygomycete grows in great profusion as a felt-like mat on the excreta from these animals (38). The geographic distribution of these isolates seen in excreta covered parts of Mexico and the United States including California, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida.…”

“…C. recurvatus is the only species in the genus Cokeromyces (38,420). Originally assigned to the family Choanephoraceae (420), it has since been designated a member of the family Thamnidiaceae (37).…”

Classical morphology in zygomycete taxonomy

“…The ability to observe small structures, e.g., the discoid columella of Chaetocladium (Benny and Benjamin 1976), has been facilitated by the availability of better microscope optics. Transmission electron microscopy has confirmed structures demonstrated with the light microscope or has revealed new processes such as spore ontogeny.…”